University of North Dakota Police Report: Key Insights on Recent Injury Incidents

GRAND FORKS — On July 11, the UND Police Department reported two injuries related to workplace safety incidents.

In one case, an employee suffered an acute head laceration and experienced lung and eye irritation after coming into contact with anhydrous ammonia. This happened while removing a regulator from a compressed gas cylinder. The employee tried to shut off the valve, but ammonia leaked out first. An investigation found that the employee wasn’t wearing the necessary protective gear and didn’t use a gas detector properly.

The second incident involved an employee who broke a fibula and sustained other foot injuries when a forklift struck them. It turned out that the forklift operator had not received proper training and failed to check their surroundings before moving the equipment. Alarmingly, this was the fourth serious incident reported by this department in just a year.

Interestingly, experts emphasize the importance of safety training in reducing workplace accidents. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), proper training can prevent up to 90% of workplace injuries. Lack of training and safety gear can lead to severe accidents, as seen in these recent cases.

These incidents highlight an ongoing concern in work environments where safety protocols are not followed. A recent survey by the National Safety Council found that over 50% of workers believe they haven’t received adequate training for their roles, which could be contributing to the high number of injuries.

These events remind us that ensuring safety in the workplace is not just about having the right equipment but also about educating employees and enforcing safety standards.

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